17 Cape Town Philharmonic

The CPO beats on

Surviving Covid-19 has been yet another challenge in the life of the 107-year-old Cape Town Philharmonic but commitment, dedication and hard work relate its inspirational story.

in Summer

The CPO performing a concert for the Health Care workers at Groote Schuur Hospital STREAMING

1) Nov 4-8 | 11-15 | 18 - 22 2) Nov 25 – 29 | Dec 2-6 | 9 – 13

www.cpo.org.za

When the Covid-19 pandemic forced South Africa into lockdown at the end of March 2020, the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra – Africa’s oldest and most active multifunctional symphony orchestra – went into survival mode and suspended all its packed public concerts for the year. Nearly two years down the line, the Pandemic’s impact has had severe nancial repucussions for the future of the CPO and the orchestra has yet to return to live audiences.

The Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra has developed in shape and size several times since its inception in 1914. Previous Boards and the City Council initially had to adapt to make the organisation viable and dynamic enough to weather the storms of two World Wars, a depression, the turmoil of Apartheid and the changed expectations of a young democracy.

A BEACON OF HOPE For the past two decades, Africa’s oldest and most revered orchestra has been much more than just a symphony orchestra. It plays a pivotal role in the cultural transformation of local communities. The CPO has identi ed music as an important game changer and changed its image from an elitist cultural organisation, performing symphony concerts, opera and ballet to a diverse, fully- edged training and transformation facilitator in education and performance.

The impact of the orchestra’s youth projects is unequalled in South Africa. The continuous year-round training projects offer healthy extramural alternatives to young people. The CPO’s impact on the community cannot be underestimated. More than a third of its operational funds goes to training, the transfer of skills and transformation through education.

If Cape Town’s permanent, professional orchestra is forced to close down, it will be very dif cult to resurrect. Unlike large cities in the western world, there is not enough parttime work for musicians to make a decent living. Gathering a different group of musicians for each concert will drastically affect standards. Eventually, professional musicians (as well

Despite the challenges the Orchestra has in the past 18 months:

• Presented 17 Cyber Symphony concerts, fi lmed and streamed to audiences internationally, showcasing South African soloists and conductors • Made seven videos with messages of upliftment in the early days of lockdown • Streamed two Community Spectacular concerts focusing on local talent which were then broadcast on KykNet • Won two Fiesta awards • Streamed a series of chamber music concerts performed for a small audience • Streamed a youth gala concert and a Masidlale grassroots concert in celebration of the CPO’s great achievements in preparing young people for a career in music or arts management • Accompanied Cape Town Opera in three productions • Streamed curtainraisers by the Cape

Town Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and

Youth Wind Ensemble • Launched the CP Wind Ensemble for amateur wind musicians • Mentored all the musicians in both orchestras online • Coached and mentored all musicians in the Masidlale Grassroots project and CP

Music Academy • Prepared young musicians for examinations • Held the fi rst round of the 5th South

African Conductors’ Competition • Presented a free concert at Groote

Schuur Hospital to pay tribute to the country’s health care workers • Streamed a youth music classical concert • Participated in two television commercials, one fi lm and recorded two sound tracks for emerging composers

Above: Youth Education & Development Below: Community Gala Concert & City Hall Symphony Concert

as secondary and tertiary music institutions) will vanish and a whole new generation of Capetonians will be denied a career in music. The repercussions of losing permanent jobs and the backlash to music schools and tertiary institutions and other training centres are also of great importance to the country’s cultural future. A city without a professional orchestra will struggle to regain its stature as an international city. As violence and crime rises in communities, a golden opportunity for cohesion through cultural activities will be lost. Music is not simply entertainment – it is a priceless investment in the future and well-being of a community.

THE FUTURE IS DIVERSE The Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra is constantly broadening horizons by offering a musical platform for musicians in all musical genres. The Cape Town Philharmonic believes in the fusion of many genres and helps to broaden the South African cultural heritage by serving all the musicians of the land: classical, jazz, pop, Indian classical, indigenous and experimental fusion music. The long-term future of our orchestra depends on our ability to adapt our musical skills, to cater for diverse audiences and to be inclusive of all cultures.